2011 BMW 135i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 4 135i years
The 2011 BMW 135i ranks worst among the 4 model years with data, with a complaint index of 100, 27 NHTSA complaints, and 6 recalls. Engine problems dominate at 41% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 30,000 miles.
- Complaints
- 27
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18.5 city / 26.5 hwy
Top 2011 BMW 135i problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine11 (41%)
- Electrical System7 (26%)
- Airbags6 (22%)
- Fuel System4 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (15%)
- Other1 (4%)
What owners report
- Engine hesitates for 2 to 3 seconds when the gas pedal is pressed at low speeds, creating a delay when merging or crossing traffic.
- When accelerating rapidly from a slow speed, the car briefly cuts fuel for about 2 seconds, causing it to slow instead of speed up before suddenly surging forward.
- Blower motor wiring in the fan system was reported to overheat, corrode, and in some cases catch fire.
- A water pump failure at 90,000 miles caused the engine to overheat and lose power while driving at 60 mph.
- Passenger airbag sensor light indicated the airbag was off even though an adult occupied the seat.
- Owners reported long delays getting the Takata airbag recall parts and repairs completed.
2011 BMW 135i recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 19V579000Aug 6, 2019Electrical System41,981 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of an earlier recall number 17V-676.
- NHTSA 17V067000Feb 2, 2017Transmission & Powertrain8,752 vehicles
Power train:driveline:constant velocity joint
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
Risk: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2011 BMW 135i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,825
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other 135i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 BMW 135i a bad year?
- Among the 4 model years of the 135i with data, 2011 has the worst complaint index at 100 and ranks 1st worst overall, so NHTSA data supports an 'Avoid' verdict relative to other 135i years.
- What is the most common problem with the 2011 BMW 135i?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, making up 41% of complaints (11 of 27), with a median failure mileage of 30,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 BMW 135i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2011 135i, covering airbags, electrical wiring, engine VANOS bolts, and a rear driveshaft CV joint.
- How does the 2011 135i compare to other years?
- The 2011 135i has a complaint index of 100, higher than 2010 (33, Good), 2012 (67, Caution), and 2013 (0, Best), making 2011 the worst-ranked year.
- Are there fire risks with the 2011 BMW 135i?
- NHTSA complaints include 2 reported fires, both linked to overheating blower-regulator wiring in the electrical system, which was addressed by a recall.